Research and analysis

Evaluation of the National Age Assessment Board (NAAB) - Appendices

Published 8 January 2026

Appendices

These appendices constitute the endline report for the NAAB evaluation and provide additional information on the methodology, data collection processes and fieldwork material used. Details about the baseline methods have also been described in Appendix A.

1. Appendix A: Methodology

This annex gives further information about the qualitative methodology used for this evaluation in the endline phase.

The key findings in this report are based on the experiences and insights of 36 participants who took part in online interviews which were either in-depth interviews and/or case illustration interviews. The participants represented 2 key stakeholder groups, Home Office staff and local authority staff in the following groups:

1. In-depth interviews: a total of 20 interviews were conducted with 7 Home Office staff working within the NAAB, and 14 local authority staff (including one paired depth interview).

2. Case illustration interviews: 16 additional interviews (including one triad interview) were conducted to gain deeper insights into specific aspects of NAAB delivery, training and guidance, safeguarding, and the casework process, involving 11 with Home Office staff and 5 with local authority staff.

Three Home Office staff participants took part in both parts of the evaluation above.

1.1 Ethics

This evaluation underwent a full review by NatCen’s Research Ethics Committee (REC), which includes members from senior NatCen staff. This ethics governance procedure is in line with the requirements of the Government Social Research (GSR) professional guidance and Social Research Association (SRA) Research Ethics Frameworks. This study took ethical considerations into account, guided by the nature of staff and stakeholders taking part. For example, the research team took care to ensure that staff knew that taking part was voluntary and that the research should not cause any burden.

1.2 Recruitment (endline phase)

1.2.1 Home Office staff

Participants from the Home Office were invited through direct invitation from the Home Office’s Asylum and Protection Research and Evaluation Team. Interested participants contacted NatCen directly via email. Participants who took part in the baseline stage and agreed to be re-contacted were emailed to take part in the endline phase for case illustration interviews as well as in-depth interviews. Most participants were prioritised for case illustration interviews, but some were re-interviewed for in-depth interviews.

1.2.2 Local authority staff

This group comprised local authority staff who were part of the NAAB national rollout. The sample included 2 subgroups – one who had only engaged with the NAAB training service, and another who had engaged with NAAB services over and above the NAAB training, such as support and referrals. Invitations to participate were sent by the Home Office, which collaborated with the Strategic Migration Partnership (SMP) to disseminate these invitations and identify a lead contact/gatekeeper at local authorities. The intention was that this gatekeeper would liaise with their colleagues about taking part in the evaluation and/or participate themselves. Interested participants contacted NatCen directly via email.

Participants who took part in the baseline stage and agreed to be re-contacted were also emailed to take part in the endline phase, again being prioritised for case illustration interviews. The final sample included 21 local authority participants representing 13 different local authorities, with 10 of those having engaged with more than one NAAB service (training), and 3 having only training experience with the NAAB.

1.3 Data collection

1.3.1 In-depth interviews

The interviews, which lasted between 30 to 60 minutes, focused on exploring participants’ experiences and views regarding the set-up, delivery, and perceived outcomes of the NAAB national rollout. The topics covered in the interviews included participants’ experiences with the age assessment process, reasons for engaging or not engaging with the NAAB services such as training, guidance and support, the referral process; views on challenges and barriers in accessing the service, and reflections on perceived outcomes.

1.3.2 Case illustrations

Home Office and local authority staff who had taken part in the baseline phase of data collection and had consented to being re-contacted for the endline stage were reapproached via e-mail to ask whether they would be able to participate in this part of the evaluation. Participants taking part in an endline interview were also asked whether they consented to being re-contacted to take part in a separate case illustration encounter.

Case illustration interviews were conducted based on 3 vignettes in the following areas:

• safeguarding

• age assessment training

• the NAAB-supported age assessment process

These 3 areas of inquiry were identified during the baseline stage as being key areas where further exploration and data would be helpful. Focusing case illustrations on these areas was intended to add value to the overall evaluation by helping to further address the research questions. Additionally, participants were also asked some wider evaluation questions, such as around set up and delivery of the NAAB national rollout, early outcomes, and overall reflections and learning.

1.4 Data analysis

Interviews were digitally audio-recorded with the participants’ permission and transcribed verbatim. Interview data was managed and analysed using the Framework approach. The Framework approach was developed by NatCen and involves systematically summarising data into a thematic framework and linking to the verbatim text, to ensure they are comprehensively ordered and accessible for qualitative analysis.

The final analytical stage involved working through the managed data to map the range and diversity of experiences and views, including exploration of any patterns, similarities, and differences between and within the participant group.

1.5 Baseline methods

Further information about the qualitative methodology used for the baseline phase of this evaluation is included below.

1.5.1 Data collection

The key findings in the baseline phase were based on the experiences and insights of 52 participants who took part in 50 online in-depth interviews. The participants represented 3 key stakeholder groups: the Home Office staff (21 participants), local authority staff (17 participants); and external stakeholders (14 participants).

The interviews, which lasted between 30 to 60 minutes, focused on exploring participants’ experiences and opinions regarding the setup, delivery, and perceived outcomes of the NAAB Minimum Viable Service (MVS) and the age assessment process without the involvement of the NAAB MVS. The topics covered in the interviews included participants’ experiences with the age assessment process, their understanding, and expectations of the NAAB, experiences with NAAB training, guidance and support, the referral process, partnership working, perceptions of challenges and barriers in accessing the service, and early reflections and recommendations to improve the service.

The baseline stage also included a rapid scoping review of literature prior to the interviews. This aimed to gain insight into various aspects of the age assessment process, the context of the NAAB service setup within the Home Office, and to understand the key stakeholders and their roles. The review also identified gaps in knowledge around age assessment and the NAAB service. The information collected from the review was used to inform the interview questions and the overall research design. The key findings also contributed to refining the NAAB Theory of Change.

1.5.2 Sampling and recruitment

Home Office staff (21 participants)

Participants from the Home Office represented various teams across operational, social work, legal, and policy areas relevant to the setup and/or delivery of the NAAB. These participants were invited through direct invitation from the Home Office’s Asylum and Protection Research and Evaluation Team. Interested participants opted in to NatCen directly via email.

Local authority staff (17 participants)

This group comprised local authority staff with direct experience in the age assessment process. The sample included those with and without experience of the NAAB MVS. Invitations to participate were sent by the Home Office, which collaborated with the SMP to disseminate these invitations. The SMP sent invitations to all 12 local authorities where the NAAB MVS is operational and to 20 additional local authorities not participating in the NAAB service. Interested participants opted in to NatCen directly via email. The final sample included 17 local authority participants representing 13 different local authorities, with 7 having engaged with the NAAB service and 6 having not.

External stakeholders (14 participants)

This group included representatives of services supporting local authorities in the age assessment process, such as policy advisors, social workers from charities and legal practitioners. External stakeholders were primarily recruited through contacts provided by local authority participants. Local authority contacts sent invitations and information about the study to external stakeholders. Interested participants opted in to NatCen directly via email. Information about the research was also disseminated across the Home Office non-governmental orginisation (NGO) hub.

Recruitment and fieldwork for the baseline began in December 2023 and concluded in mid-April 2024.

2. Appendix B: Recruitment materials

A range of materials were used to support the recruitment of participants to take part in the research. This included a recruitment briefing note for SMP who approached local authority staff about participating in the evaluation, as well as information sheets, privacy notices, and a consent form given to all participants in advance of taking part in an interview. Additionally, an email was sent towards the end of the project updating participants on plans for dissemination of the findings. Copies are provided below.

2.1 Briefing note for SMPs on recruitment of local authorities

What is this project about?

This project involves an independent evaluation of the National Age Assessment Board (NAAB), commissioned by the Home Office and conducted by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). The NAAB seeks to create a consistent, efficient, and evidence-based system for assessing the age of asylum seekers when in doubt.

The evaluation, running from October 2023 to March 2025, will explore the implementation and delivery of the NAAB, assess whether it is being executed as intended, and gather stakeholder perceptions on its early outcomes and effectiveness.

The evaluation is divided into 2 main stages:

• baseline stage: October 2023 to August 2024

• endline stage: September 2024 to March 2025

How can Strategic Migration Partnerships support?

Strategic Migration Partnerships can support the evaluation by helping to recruit local authorities (LAs) and health and social care trusts (HSCTs). Specifically, we ask for assistance in identifying a lead contact within each LA/HSCTs who can approach potential staff and stakeholders to participate. If you are happy to support the evaluation in this way, please let the NatCen research team know using the details provided at the end of this briefing note to arrange a short call. We can then discuss the process further and answer any questions you may have. We have also provided an overview of the process below which we will refer to during our call.

Contacting LA/HSCTs

Please circulate this briefing, along with the attached information sheet and privacy notice, to your local authority/health and social care trust contacts who have accessed any service offered by NAAB. We are interested in speaking to 2 groups:

• LAs/HSCTs who have only engaged with the training function of the NAAB/had training from the NAAB

• LAs/HSCTs that have engaged with other functions of the NAAB in addition to training, such referring cases into the NAAB for age assessment and/or accessing its guidance and support

We would appreciate it if you could ask them to contact us using the details provided in the information sheet. The sheet outlines the evaluation’s purpose and emphasises that participation is voluntary and should not impose an undue burden. Please note that while we aim to include a diverse range of participants, it may not be possible to accommodate all interested local authorities/health and social care trusts.

Recruitment and interview process

As part of the endline stage, NatCen will conduct up to 65 interviews by mid-December 2024 with representatives from the Home Office, LAs, HSCTs, and external stakeholders involved in the age assessment process.

Each LA/HSCT will be asked to facilitate interviews with up to 2 staff members and help identify up to 2 local experts/stakeholders, such as interpreters, guardians, charity workers, or legal advisors, who are involved in age assessments.

Interviews will be conducted via telephone or Microsoft Teams between September and mid-December 2024, with participants choosing a convenient date and time. The table below outlines the steps for engaging LA/HSCTs in the evaluation process and identifying a lead contact.

Stage	Description
Stage 1: Identifying a lead contact within the LA/HSCTs	We would like to interview a range of stakeholders and staff as part of this evaluation. To facilitate this, it would be helpful to have a lead contact from each LA/HSCT who can approach up to 2 staff (for example, social workers involved in age assessments) and help identify up to 2 external stakeholders (for example, interpreters, practitioners) for participation in the research. Please reach out to the appropriate individual who could serve as the lead contact and ask if they would be willing to support the recruitment of staff and stakeholder participants.
Stage 2: Sharing the relevant recruitment materials	Please provide the LA/HSCT lead contact with the attached participant briefing note detailing how they can support the evaluation. Additionally, please share the information sheet and privacy notice for stakeholders and staff participants, which offer further information about the evaluation process and what participation entails.
Stage 3: Sharing contact details	If the individual is willing to serve as the lead contact for their LA, they can directly contact the NatCen research team using the contact details provided below. With their consent, you may also securely share their contact details with NatCen on their behalf. Contact details can be shared securely via telephone or through a secure platform like MOVEit—please avoid sharing contact details via email. Please note that participation as a lead contact is entirely voluntary. The individual can ask any questions and seek further clarification from the NatCen team before agreeing to support the recruitment of participants.
Stage 4: Short briefing call with the LA lead contact and NatCen	The NatCen research team will arrange a call with the lead LA/HSCT contact. During this they will answer any questions and explain in more detail who we would like to interview in each LA/HSCT for this research. We will also share a copy of the information leaflet and privacy notice for the lead contact to use when approaching stakeholders and staff about the evaluation.

Frequently asked questions

The FAQs and answers below might help you when contacting potential participants. We are also very happy to answer any questions you may have.

Who is doing the research?

NatCen Social Research, an independent research organisation which has been running for over 50 years and which does research for government, statutory agencies, and voluntary sector organisations. More information can be found at our website, www.natcen.ac.uk.

How will the information be used, confidentiality and disclosure?

The data collected will be used strictly for research purposes. At the start of each interview, the researcher will introduce themselves and explain that the discussion is anonymous and confidential. We will assure participants that their responses will not be shared outside our research team unless they disclose something that suggests a risk of serious harm to themselves or others.

The information gathered will be analysed into themes and summarized by NatCen in a report for the Home Office. While the report may include quotes from participants, no identifying details (such as names or specific locations) will be included. However, participants will be informed that their views might still be recognizable by those directly involved in the evaluation, including the Home Office and other staff or gatekeepers who facilitated their participation.

The privacy notice provides further details on how data will be processed and used.

Key contact information

If you have any questions about the information outlined above or would like to talk about the project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the NatCen research team.

• [email]

• [project freephone number]

2.2 Participant information sheet

What is this project about?

This project involves an independent evaluation of the National Age Assessment Board (NAAB), commissioned by the Home Office and conducted by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). The NAAB seeks to create a consistent, efficient, and evidence-based system for assessing the age of asylum seekers when in doubt.

The evaluation, running from October 2023 to March 2025, will explore the implementation and delivery of the NAAB, assess whether it is being executed as intended, and gather stakeholder perceptions on its early outcomes and effectiveness.

The evaluation is divided into 2 main stages:

• baseline stage: October 2023 – August 2024

• endline stage: September 2024 – March 2025

You have been invited to take part in this second stage of data collection. Your participation will involve taking part in an interview which will last about an hour (please see below for further details). You do not have to take part if you do not want to. If you do agree to participate, it is up to you how much or how little you contribute, and you can withdraw from the study at any point.

The rest of this information sheet provides further detail on the purpose of this evaluation and what it entails.

Who is carrying out the project?

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) is the largest independent, non-profit social research organisation in Britain.

What does participate in the research involve?

For this stage of the research, NatCen will conduct up to 65 interviews with representatives from the Home Office, Local Authorities, Health and Social Care Trusts, and external stakeholders supporting those going through the age assessment process.

Taking part involves an interview lasting up to one hour with a NatCen researcher. The second round of interviews will take place by telephone or on Microsoft Teams between September and mid-December 2024. You can choose a date and time that is convenient for you.

We would like to interview staff and stakeholders with and without direct experience of the NAAB.

Key topics that will be discussed in the interview will include:

• information about your role and your experience in relation to the age assessment process

• your role in the age assessment process and where applicable the NAAB service setup and/or delivery/implementation

• reasons for engaging or not engaging with the NAAB service

• perceptions/feedback around any outcomes from the age assessment process and/or where applicable early outcomes from the NAAB service

• any reflections and views on challenges or areas for improvement for conducting age assessment and where applicable for the NAAB service

Do I have to take part?

Participating in this evaluation is entirely voluntary. You are not obligated to take part in the interview, and you can withdraw your participation at any point. If at any point you feel uncomfortable discussing any topics, you can choose not to discuss them. If you decide not to take part, it will have no negative impact on your role or working relationship with the Home Office, Strategic Migration Partnership, or any other organisations involved in the research. If you do agree to take part, you will be able to withdraw your contribution for up to 2 weeks after your interview.

Unfortunately, it may not be possible to speak to everyone who would like to take part.

How will data be processed and used?

Everything said in the discussion will be treated in the strictest confidence. With your permission, interviews will be audio recorded and transcribed to provide an accurate record of what you say. The audio recording and transcript will be stored securely and only the NatCen research team will have access to them.

The data collected will be used for research purposes only, and the information you provide will be used to produce a range of research outputs for the Home Office including an internal report. We may use quotes of what you have said but your views will not be attributed to you by name or by any other identifying characteristic. Although NatCen will strive to ensure confidentiality, it may be possible for individuals directly involved in the evaluation to know your identity from your responses. The research team will discuss this with you before the interview and ensure that you are able to review your contribution at the end of the discussion if necessary.

We will not share what you say with anyone outside our team of researchers, unless you say something that makes us think you or someone else might be at risk of serious harm and identifiable.

The privacy notice details further information on how data will be processed and used.

What happens next?

If you are happy to be involved, please contact NatCen at [email] or by calling [project freephone number]. NatCen will then arrange an interview with you. Alternatively, you can speak with the person who gave you this information sheet. Participation in all research activities for this study is completely voluntary.

Contact information

If you have any questions or would like to find out more information about the evaluation, please contact the NatCen research team via the freephone number or email address below and a researcher will get back to you.

• [email]

• [project freephone number]

2.3 Participant privacy notice

In line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), there are certain things that we need to let those who participate in our research projects know about how your information will be processed. In this privacy notice, we explain the legal basis for data processing, who will have access to your personal data, how your data will be used, stored and deleted, and who you can contact with a query or a complaint.

The Home Office is the data controller of this information and more information about the Home Office and how the data will be controlled can be found at GOV.UK - Personal information charter. The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) is the data processor and is responsible for the collection, processing and storage of the data. Further information on NatCen and their policies can be found at National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).

How and why the Home Office uses your information

The Home Office collects, processes and shares personal information to enable it to carry out its statutory and other functions. The Home Office is only allowed to process your data where there is a lawful basis for doing so. For this research, data will be processed for the purpose of delivering a public task under GDPR Article 6 1e.

Who will access personal data?

NatCen are carrying out this research and will have access to the names, contact details and job role information of those who agree to take part/are contacted about the evaluation where permission has been given to share this information. NatCen will also have access to the recordings and transcripts of the interviews taking place on this project, as well as fieldwork notes made by researchers during the interviews/discussions.

[Name of transcription agency] is the transcription service NatCen use to transcribe interview and data. They will have access to recordings and transcriptions (written accounts) from all interviews and focus groups. [Name of transcription agency] is on NatCen’s approved supplier list and compliant with all of their information security policies.

How will the data be used?

The data collected will be used for research purposes only. All personal information, and any other data held on the project, will be securely deleted once the project has been completed.

Information and opinions gathered from the interviews with Home Office, Local Authority, Health and Social Care Trust staff and other stakeholders will be used to inform our evaluation. All data will be treated with the strictest confidence. The findings of this evaluation will not be attributed to specific individuals who take part, and no individual will be directly identified in any of the research outputs.

Although the findings of this study will not be linked to specific regions, Local Authorities, Health and Social Care Trusts, or individuals; the Home Office, Strategic Migration Partnership, and other staff/gatekeepers will have been involved in the recruitment of participants and will therefore have knowledge of who has been invited to take part. This includes the person who invited you to participate. Whilst we will take all precaution to anonymise information shared with us, it is possible that individual opinions and/or experiences could be identified by those who are directly involved in this evaluation and other colleagues.

Storing your information

The data held by NatCen will be stored securely in the UK, in line with international best practice and NatCen’s ISO 27001, ISO 20252 and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications. Data will not be stored in overseas servers. All personal data will be securely deleted once the project has been completed.

Requesting access to your personal data

You can request access to your personal data and for it to be deleted or updated by NatCen, as well as an explanation of how it has been used, at any time before it has been destroyed. Rights requests will be responded to within 30 days. Analyses produced from personal data is not personal data, and the process of removing identifiable information is not reversible. Individual rights requests apply to personal data only, and there may be some occasions where you will receive an explanation of why the request you’ve made cannot be complied with. If you would like to make a request about your data, please get in touch with the NatCen research team via the contact details provided below.

Questions or concerns about personal data

We would welcome the opportunity of discussing the research with you to address any concerns directly. Please do feel free to contact:

The research team at NatCen via email to [email] or telephone on [project freephone number] or by post to [address].

If you prefer to speak to somebody at the Home Office or you believe the evaluation has not complied with your data protection rights, you can contact [email]

Under GDPR, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if your query is not satisfactorily addressed. You can lodge a complaint at:

Post

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House, Water Lane,

Wilmslow

Cheshire

K9 5AF

Phone

0303 123 1113

Website

https://ico.org.uk/concerns

2.4 Participant Consent Form

Please read prior to the interview. The researcher will verbally record your overall consent to take part directly before the interview/group discussion takes place. This document is for your records and there is no need to return this to NatCen.

1. I have read and understood the project information sheet.

2. I am willing to take part in the research interview/focus group and for the information I provide to be used to produce research outputs (including an internal report and presentations) for the Home Office.

3. I am willing for the discussion to be audio recorded. (If you would prefer not to be recorded let the researcher know so we can arrange to take notes instead.)

4. I understand my personal details that may personally identify me, such as my name, will not be revealed to people outside the NatCen research team (which includes NatCen’s secure transcription service).

5. I understand that NatCen will not share what I say to them with anyone outside of the research team (and the transcription service), unless I say something that makes NatCen think that I or someone else might be at risk of serious harm and identifiable.

6. All efforts will be made to anonymise the research outputs. However, I understand that it may be possible that individual views could be identified by those who are directly involved in this evaluation. This includes the Home Office, Strategic Migration Partnership and staff/gatekeepers, who were involved in approaching individuals to take part.

7. I understand that taking part in the research is voluntary, that I do not have to discuss any subject I do not wish to, and that I can end the interview/discussion at any time.

2.5 Email text updating participants on dissemination of findings

Dear [name],

I hope you are well.

As you are aware, the Home Office has commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to conduct an evaluation of the National Age Assessment Board (NAAB). Thank you for your involvement in this research.

We are writing to provide an update on plans for the dissemination of findings. Any internal reports and outputs will not be directly shared with the NAAB social worker team, however The Home Office may publish the final report of the evaluation on the government’s information website (GOV.UK). Publication is not guaranteed to occur.

As communicated at the time of the research interview, all data will be treated with the strictest confidence subject to disclosure obligations. The findings of this evaluation will not be attributed to specific individuals who took part, and no individual will be directly identified in any of the research outputs. We may use quotes of what you have said but your views will not be attributed to you by name or by any other identifying characteristic. Although NatCen will strive to ensure confidentiality, it may be possible for individuals directly involved in the evaluation to determine your identity from your responses. For further information on how your data is being processed and used, please refer to the privacy notice attached to this email.

If you do not want the interview data you provided to be used in research outputs in the public domain including the final published report, please let us know by [date]. You can reply to this email or call the project freephone number below. If you have any questions or concerns about the plans for dissemination of findings or any other aspect of the evaluation, do also contact the NatCen research team via the details below.

[email]

[telephone]

Additionally, should the report be published, we will email you the link when this is available. If you would prefer not to receive the link, do also let us know.

Many thanks again for your support and involvement in this evaluation.

Kind regards,

The NatCen NAAB evaluation research team

3. Appendix C: Fieldwork materials

Topic guides and case illustration vignettes that explored several aspects of the NAAB, were developed to conduct interviews with participants.

Tailored topic guides were used to ensure a consistent approach across all the interviews and between members of the research team. The guides were used flexibly to allow researchers to respond to the nature and content of each discussion, so the topics covered and their order varied between interviews.

Researchers used open, non-leading questions, and answers were fully probed to elicit greater depth and detail where necessary. Slightly different versions of the guide were used for interviews with participant groups to ensure that topic guides reflected the nature of participants’ role and involvement.

An outline of the topic guides and the vignettes are provided below.

3.1 Home Office staff topic guide

Introduction

• introduce self and NatCen

• introduce the study

• brief overview of topics to be covered in interview

• length (about 60 minutes)

• voluntary participation

• audio recording (including data storage)

• confidentiality, anonymity and potential caveats

• overview of possible involvement in later stages of the research

• questions

• verbal consent recorded

Participant background and context

• participant’s current role and responsibilities

• age assessment process prior to the introduction of the NAAB

Understanding and expectations of the NAAB

• understanding of the purpose of the NAAB

• expectations on the outcomes of the NAAB

Setup and national roll out of the NAAB

• the processes of setting up and rolling out the NAAB to date (during national roll out)

• funding and resources available for the NAAB national roll out

Delivery of the NAAB – national rollout

• process for referrals into the NAAB

• overview of training delivered as part of NAAB

• carrying out Merton compliant age assessments

• extent the NAAB has been implemented as intended

Early indicators/outcomes

• perceived outcomes of the NAAB to date

Reflections

• key learning and reflections for delivery of age assessment

• anticipated future enablers and challenges/anything that might limit the NAAB achieving its intended outcomes

Next steps and close

• final closing comments – anything else to raise

3.2 Local authorities/HSCTs with experience of the NAAB topic guide

Introduction

• introduce self and NatCen

• introduce the study

• brief overview of topics to be covered in interview

• length (about 60 minutes)

• voluntary participation

• audio recording (including data storage)

• confidentiality, anonymity and potential caveats

• overview of possible involvement in later stages of the research

• questions

• verbal consent recorded

Participant background and context

• participant’s current role and responsibilities

• age assessment process prior to the introduction of the NAAB (very briefly)

Understanding and expectations of the NAAB

• understanding of the purpose of the NAAB

• expectations on the outcomes of the NAAB

Setup and national roll out of the NAAB

• the processes of setting up and rolling out the NAAB to date

• partnership working/agencies involved in setup/implementation

Delivery of the NAAB – national rollout

• process for referrals into the NAAB

• overview of training delivered/received from the NAAB

• overview of the guidance and support given to LAs/HSCTs/received from the NAAB

• awareness of the NAAB’s safeguarding policy

• carrying out Merton compliant age assessments

• extent the NAAB has been implemented as intended (if not covered above)

Early indicators/outcomes

• perceived outcomes of the NAAB to date

Reflections

• key learning and reflections for delivery of age assessment

• anticipated future enablers and challenges/anything that might limit the NAAB achieving its intended outcomes

Next steps and close

• final closing comments – anything else to raise

3.3 Local Authorities/HSCTs without experience of the NAAB topic guide

Introduction

• introduce self and NatCen

• introduce the study

• brief overview of topics to be covered in interview

• length (about 60 minutes)

• voluntary participation

• audio recording (including data storage)

• confidentiality, anonymity and potential caveats

• overview of possible involvement in later stages of the research

• questions

• verbal consent recorded

Participant background and context

• participant’s current role and responsibilities

• age assessment process in place (briefly, for context)

Understanding and expectations of the NAAB

• understanding of the purpose of the NAAB

• expectations on the outcomes of the NAAB

Reasons for not engaging with the NAAB

• reasons for not engaging with the NAAB’s guidance and support

• reasons for not engaging with the NAAB’s training provision

• reasons for not referring into the NAAB’s age assessment process

Facilitators to engaging with the NAAB

• facilitators to engaging with the NAAB

• partnership working/agencies involved in setup/implementation

Reflections

• key learning and reflections for delivery of age assessment

• anticipated future enablers and challenges/anything that might limit the NAAB achieving its intended outcomes

Next steps and close

• final closing comments – anything else to raise

3.4 Case Illustration interview vignettes

Vignette 1 (safeguarding): Handling trauma during an age assessment

“During an age assessment meeting, the assessor begins asking the age-disputed individual about their journey to the UK. The individual does not respond initially and begins to show signs of discomfort, such as fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, and becoming visibly tense. As the assessor repeats the question several times, the individual’s distress escalates, leading to trembling, shallow breathing, and emotional upset.”

Vignette 2 (safeguarding): Child-centric approaches

“Some local authority staff have become concerned about the way age assessments are conducted in their region, as many young people appear anxious, overwhelmed, or even confrontational during meetings. The staff wish to make the process more child-centric, ensuring the needs and emotional well-being of the child are prioritised throughout the assessment.”

Vignette 3 (training): Addressing confidence and expertise in conducting age assessments

“A small, rural local authority is struggling with a shortage of trained social workers and inconsistent guidance on conducting Merton-compliant age assessments. The staff feel they need more frequent, hands-on training to build their confidence.

To address this, the local authority contacted the National Age Assessment Board and requested training. The NAAB quickly arranged a 2-day training program and also informed the local authority that they can access further guidance through NAAB support service, as needed in the future.”

Vignette 4 (process): Stages of NAAB age assessment casework

1. Pre-planning meeting: NAAB and local authority social workers review background information, discuss potential issues, and arrange logistics for the assessment.

2. Introduction meeting: Conducted online to introduce NAAB SWs, explain the age assessment’s purpose, and outline the process.

3. Initial assessment: Details the process, including duration, questions, and potential outcomes to ensure the individual understands.

4. Information gathering: Multiple assessment sessions occur where the individual answers questions to determine their age.

5. Mind-to meeting: Presents gathered information and discrepancies for the individual to respond to.

6. Decision and report: NAAB SWs review information, make a decision, and issue a report to the local authority.

7. Outcome meeting: Final meeting to present the age assessment findings to the individual. “An age-disputed individual has arrived in your local authority, claiming to be under 18. The case is referred to the National Age Assessment Board (NAAB), which accepts the referral. The assessment steps are as follows”

Vignette 5 (process): Referrals to the NAAB service and communication between the NAAB and local authorities (note: for local authority staff only)

“Once a referral is made, the Home Office NAAB team takes over the casework and age assessment through to the decision stage. However, during this process, local authority staff still need to maintain communication with the Home Office, particularly around the decision-making and outcome stages of age assessments. This ongoing communication helps ensure that local authorities are well-equipped to address any issues and provide tailored support, such as planning post-assessment steps like accommodation and care arrangements.”